Publisher's Blurb

Would King Dasharatha even have his coveted sons were it not for the sacrifice of his daughter Shanta?

Was Manthara an evil, conniving handmaid to the queen or a loving mother who tried to protect her ward from palace intrigues?

How did Meenakshi of the beautiful eyes transform into the embodiment of ugliness and immoral lust? In an epic that revolves around the life of a righteous prince, what role do the women play?

As best-selling author Anand Neelakantan peels back the layers of Valmiki’s timeless saga, these stories of ambition, love, devotion and courage shine through, inviting listeners to look at the women anew. Lovers, sisters, wives and mothers who hold a complex epic together - these are the women of Valmiki’s Ramayana.

My Review

This book comprises of five chapters portraying five influential women who you could say in a way were responsible for the epic.
1. Bhoomija - Introduction to Sage Valmiki who wrote the Ramayana  and the story of the  birth of Sita or Bhoomija. Bhoomija was so named because  she was born from the Bhoomi or earth.

2. Shanta - Unknown and hidden amongst her younger brothers Shanta was first-born of King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya. It was her sacrifice that blessed Dasharatha with sons and she who was at the King's deathbed in his last moments.

3. Manthara - The real villain of the epic, as she believed to be. But was Manthara the only one responsible for Rama's exile or did queen Kakeyi shirk her responsibility onto the old, ugly woman?

4. Tataka - The mother of Maricha. Maricha was the demon (or not) who transformed into a golden deer and resulted in the kidnapping of Sita by Ravana.

5. Meenakshi - or Shurpanakha, as she is  popularly known visits Ayodhya to meet Sita.  
This Book brings a new light and thought process to this epic Indian story.

Women Power is everything, this book once again proves that.  

Final Verdict

I absolutely admire, appreciate and salute the representation of women in this book.

Who Should Read This

If you've read the Ramayana or plan to read it soon, you must read this book to understand the perspective of these very influential women to the epic.